10th PeaksFest to celebrate 'nutty' side of island life in Portland

PORTLAND — The annual PeaksFest will take place this weekend all over Peaks Island.

Resident David Cohan said the original concept was for a block party on Peaks Island about decade ago. But what he discovered was that islanders were hungry for an all-island party to celebrate their community, talents and, of course, the summer weather.

“It just mushroomed,” Cohan said. “There was a pent-up demand on the island.”

Cohan said the event has always been an opportunity for residents to showcase their talents, businesses and organizations.

But it’s also a chance put politics aside, even when divisive issues such secession are on everyone’s mind.

“Whether you have strong beliefs one way or the other, this one weekend you’re a Peaks Islander,” Cohan said. “We revel in the fact that we’re a little whacked out, that we’re a little nutty. And it’s just sort of fun to be Peaks Islanders.”

The three-day event kicks off with the community “schmoozefest” and Bingo starting at 6 p.m. at the Trefethen Evergreen Improvement Association clubhouse. Some refreshments will be provided, but attendees should bring their own food and drinks.

A Scottish ceilidh dance and concert will take place from 8-10 p.m. at the Eighth Maine Regiment Memorial.

More than two dozen different events are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Island organizations, artists, authors, craftspeople and business people will be set up on the dock alongside the ferry terminal from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Other events include hula-hooping, a puppet show and a costume parade that departs from Welch Street at 1:30 p.m.

There will also be a “traditional ham and bean suppah” from 5:30-7 p.m. and a Excelsior Cornet Band concert from 4-6 p.m. at the Fifth Maine. A PeaksFest jam session is scheduled from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Eighth Maine Regiment.